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Rockport plans to expand in-district intensive learning program to reduce out-of-district placements
Summary
The district said it will expand an elementary intensive learning program from a K–2 cohort to add a 3–5 classroom to keep students in-district and reduce costly out-of-district placements, relying largely on staff reallocation rather than new FTEs.
Leaders told the committee they are expanding a successful in-district intensive learning program originally created for K–2 students to include a 3–5 cohort next year. "So we currently have 4 students in that K to 2 model," Anne Marie Luster said, describing a flexible model that keeps students in the classroom as much as possible while providing intensive reading, math or social-emotional instruction outside the classroom when needed.
Superintendent Mark Branca and Luster said the expansion aims to reduce out-of-district tuition and transportation costs. They emphasized the plan seeks to meet new program demand by reallocating existing licensed staff rather than asking the town for additional positions, though the committee asked the district to clarify staffing and FTE details in the budget book drafts.
